<p>Soo....I just moved into Berkeley last week, and I am not from the bay area at all. I've never moved somewhere where I didn't know a soul, so perhaps I am just being sensitive, but after spending the last two days wondering around my neighborhood I must say that I found the people to be very unfriendly. No one smiled at me once, and when I asked questions to store clerks they barely gave me answers and seemed generally irritated...even with something as simple as, "where can I find chocolate chips?" It was very strange. Beyond those that were working though, just the general traffic of people were unapproachable. I'm used to simple things as walking my puppy and having people come up and pet him, saying how cute he is. No one even seemed to smile at him! lol. I never realized that may have been unusual until now. That's a minor thing though, of course, but it is still strange to me. Also, I saw my neighbor (a young college student) smoking outside his apartment last night as I was taking my dog out for a walk. I introduced myself to him just to be polite and the guy barely responded. He just half smiled, put out his cig, obviously before he was even done, and went back inside! Weird! Its not like I was going to chat his ear off I just wanted to say hi and then go on my merry way. lol. Has anyone else experienced this? Am I just in a bad neighborhood? I mean I'd like to be able to make a few friends at one point, and I've never had problems before...now I'm nervous :/</p>
<p>where are you from?</p>
<p>Berkeley isn’t the happiest place. It may be because finals week is next week but that’s how berkeley usually is (gloomy).</p>
<p>Maybe when the semester starts you’ll have better luck.</p>
<p>I’m sure being on campus around other students will defiantly make a difference, but it was still disappointing to say the least. Also I am from the central Valley and lived in L.A. for a number of years, which was a pretty difficult place to make friends as well, but I still managed. Even L.A. seemed more friendly than this place! haha. Oh well, I guess I’ll just wait and see ( :</p>
<p>you should probably stay away from Top Dog. lol…</p>
<p>but idk, i havent really tried to interact with the general public here. i saw a really big dog the other day and wanted to pet it, but the owner didn’t look so friendly so i just kept walking… whatever. im from LA and people always come up to play with my pet dog too, so my recent encounter was a little bit of a downer. so idk, maybe you’re right.</p>
<p>but it’s okay, just give it another week or so. i dont really talk to any of the people around my apartment complex though. i just hang out with the Cal public, theyre a lot friendlier and approachable.</p>
<p>I do think it’s because of finals 
Don’t worry. It gets a lot better.</p>
<p>well hearing that those on campus are more approachable makes me feel a lot better now. thanks! (: I was worried I was goin to be lonely girl for the next two years, but it seems there is hope still for otherwise! haha</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve noticed the people at Berkeley are less approachable. Generally everyone tends to judge you based on your outer appearance, but this is normal. Berkeley has a suprisinlgy high population of snobs…at least compared to other places I’ve lived. But once you open your mouth and get to know the people, they can definitely be nice.</p>
<p>paniikd, when i came to berkeley, i noticed how reserved (i dont mean shy though) people here are. they pretend like you dont exist, if they dont know you.</p>
<p>so its sad, but i’ve sorta become like them…</p>
<p>Aww dont feel too bad. I used to benone of those ppl who’d stop to pet cuye puppies but have stopped after observing how many owners get irritated when i do that. Sheesh! Anyhow, i think its true ppl are a little tightly wound here but just keep looking :)</p>
<p>Yeah, Berkeley is not the kind of city where you smile and wave to neighbors… but timing has something to do with it. It’s dead week, so… I think if you walked in on campus during the first week of classes, you would find a warmer welcome.</p>
<p>you stopped being none of those people who would pet the dogs W4C? SMH</p>
<p>Students in general are nicer than the Berkeley population. I don’t like the residents of Berkeley at all, being a former one myself. The people who actually live here are mostly the very liberal types from the 60s and 70s who dislike the current students. The residents of Berkeley limit the number of students the campus has to about 35,000, even though the university is the city’s largest employer and pays the most taxes to make the city livable. Also, the residents don’t like asian people. </p>
<p>But yeah, I think that most people are just shy. Every time I smile at a cute girl, she just looks away… And lots of people like to give bad directions just the be mean >:O don’t do that.</p>
<p>Lol B17: i still dont have my macbook back and hence suck at typing on my phone. I meant “one” not “none” hagaha</p>
<p>what about many of the closed minded so cal transplants? Granted, I have high respect for those who possessed the will and courage to challenge themselves and their own pride, prejudice, and preconceived notions to become more open minded and accept things as they are. Personally I find the residents and even the hobos to be more open towards everyday communication than many of the students. I suppose it may be a growth process to eventually come out of ones dead shell instead of living in fear and a prison of ones own creation. Kudos to those that try and go beyond ones selfhood to free themselves from such mental bondage which for some is a life changing experience.</p>
<p>FYI: It was the ACLU not Raygun himself that pushed for releasing people</p>
<p>Yes. Free yourselves from mental bondage!</p>
<p>wow this thread got really deep towards the end…“mental bondage”…i just wanted people to compliment my puppy, not do yoga or anything, unless they want too. lol.</p>
<p>I do understand that Berkeley can seem oppressive until one makes such a breakthrough. I personally have never felt threatened in Berkeley and always meet new interesting people all around town. Even during Thanksgiving weekend I had a great time chillin with people I never met before that me and my mates met up in Tilden, Indian Rock, and on Telegraph.</p>
<p>My statement wasn’t meant to be all that deep but maybe some yoga or meditation may do you some good. Maybe your pup is just hideous looking cuz when I use to walk my friends dog I always had cute girls wanting to pet it. Pets can be a good catalyst for sparking up a conversation. My friend wondered for ages why I was happy to take his dog out for a walk until figured it out.</p>
<p>wow i love this thread. “where can I find chocolate chips?” lol and knitknots post is true. there are so many snobby people and it seems like it makes it worse that they’re…smart. Lol they’re not out of it like people where i used to live were. but yeah storekeepers and restaurant owners usually give you a dirty look like they know you are going to sue them when all you are doing is giving them business. I think the best way to handle it, is to occupy yourself with stuff you love to do.</p>
<p>I find the OP weird. why would I expect everyone around me to say hi or smile to me all the time? If I live in a small village that’s acceptable. But Berkeley has lots of people. Don’t expect every single one of them to smile and say hi to you. That’s going to be tedious…and maybe even irritating…</p>